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The University of Utah Athletics
Utah Women's Soccer Hires Two Assistant Coaches
3/4/2010 12:00 AM | Soccer
March 4, 2010
SALT LAKE CITY - University of Utah head soccer coach Rich Manning has announced the hiring of two new assistant coaches. Ryan Crabbe has been brought in primarily to train the Utah defenders, while Mariel Wilner will take over duties as the Utes' goalkeepers coach.
"I am very happy to have two outstanding coaches and people joining our program," said Manning. "Ryan and Mariel stood out in a pool of excellent candidates and our players will benefit greatly from their expertise.
"Ryan has all of the qualities that you look for in a top assistant coach," Manning continued. "He has terrific feel for identifying skills and tactics that can improve each player's game. He has experience at the highest level, has helped lead a national championship club team and has previously been a collegiate head coach. I think he will serve the team and our program very well.
"Mariel is a rising star in the coaching profession," Manning added. "Her work with All-American and US Youth National Team goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher speaks for itself. She brings a never-ending energy to the field and I think that will have a huge impact on our goalkeepers and team as a whole."
Crabbe joins the Utes from Saint Mary's College (Ind.), where he spent the last two seasons as the head coach. Prior to Saint Mary's, Crabbe was an assistant coach at Columbus State (Ga.) from 2005-08, where he helped guide CSU to an "Elite Eight" appearance in the 2007 NCAA Div. II tournament, and three consecutive Peach Belt Conference championships from 2005-07. Before moving on to the collegiate level, Crabbe was an assistant coach with Gwinnett Soccer Association, which captured the U-16 National Club Championship in 2001, made a U-17 National Finals appearance in 2002 and another National Runner-up effort in 2004 with the U-19 squad.
"I am very happy for the opportunity to work with Rich and the Utah soccer program," said Crabbe. "He is well respected in the soccer community and I feel this is a great opportunity for me to continue to grow as a coach. Utah is a quality program on the regional and national level and we have some great players to coach and develop. This is an environment that places a premium on athletics and the student-athletes, and I am very excited to be here."
Wilner comes to Utah from Penn State University, where she served as the goalkeeper coach for the past three years. During that time, she trained Naeher to three All-American awards and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2007 and 2009. Naeher was also called in to train with the U.S. Women's National team and was drafted in the first round of the 2010 Women's Pro Soccer draft by the Boston Breakers. Prior to Penn State, Wilner was an assistant coach at Harvard, where she helped goalkeeper Lauren Mann to 2006 Ivy League Rookie of the Year honors. Additionally, Wilner is a director for World Cup winner and Olympic gold-medal coach Tony DiCicco's SoccerPlus Camps, as well as a member of the Region I ODP staff.
"From the current players to the Utah staff, athletic department and the Salt Lake community, this felt like a no-brainer," said Wilner. "I had always heard amazing things about Rich and his team, he has a great reputation. I think this is a wonderful opportunity and a great time to join the program and help build it for the future."
Crabbe will assume his coaching duties immediately. Wilner will begin coaching at Utah in May.
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